Portable scaffold



Nov. 28, 1961 E. P. BORKE PORTABLE SCAFFOLD Filed Jan. 29, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 28, 1961 E. P. BORKE 3,010,534

` PORTABLE scAFFoLD Filed Jan. 29, 195e 3 sheets-sheet 5 United States Patent @hice 3,0l,534 Patented Nov. 28, 1961 3,610,534 PORTABLE SCAFFQLD Edwin P. Borke, 8030 W. 30th St., Riverside, lll. Filed ian. 29, 1958, Ser. No. 711,884 Claims. (Cl. 3182-58) This invention relates generally to portable scatfolds, and more specifically to an improved highly adaptable window scaffold. Although the principles of the present invention may be included in various scaffolds, a particularly useful application is made in scaolds of the type that are used on the outside of windows. Although numerous scaffolds of this type have been suggested by others, there is a general lack of flexibility or adaptability of the scaold, wherein it becomes difficult to use it with various windows under various conditions. Specifically, when a releasable cross-bar is used with a scaffold or as part thereof in a position next to an interior Wall adiacent to an obstruction to the use of such a cross-bar, it has heretofore frequently been necessary to move furniture, or impossible to use such a structure. As a further example, where a relatively small opening is provided by the opening of a window, it has been impossible heretofore to attach such scaffold, where it has been necessary to pass the scaold through the window opening. Further, where the window opemfng is exceedingly small, it has been heretofore awkward, impossible or dificult to erect a collapsed scaffold after it has been projected through a window opening.

The present invention contemplates 4the use of a movable connection whereby the cross-bar may be rotated about a center -other than its axis to facilitate the attachment and/or the adjustment thereof. Further, the present invention contemplates the use of a collapsible guard rail assembly, a suitable support bracket, and an auxiliary or temporary support means so disposed and arranged that the scaffold may readily be adapted tol various windows and co-nditions, from a point inside of the window.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable window scaffold which is capable of being readily installed or engaged with a window frame, and which is adaptable to various dimensional and clearance conditions associated with the window.

Another object ofthe present invention is to provide an improved portable window scalold which may be fully assembled before its insertion through a window opening and then locked in position.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved window scaold of the type employing an interior cross-bar, wherein means are provided for facilitating the reception of the cross-bar into the scaffold assembly.

Many other advantages, features and additional objects of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment, and several variations thereof, incorporating the prineiples of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

On the drawings:

FIGURE l is a perspective View of a portable window scaffold constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is -a sectional view taken generally along line II--II on FIGURE l, and showing how lthe scaffold is supported at a window;

FGURE 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE l, but in a collapsed condition;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional View taken generally along line IV-IV of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of a slightly modified form of structure which may be used in place of that shown in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is also generally similar to FIGURE 4 but of a further modified form;

FIGURE 7 is a view taken long line VII-VII of FIG- URE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional View, partly in elevation generally similar to a portion of FIGURE 2, and showing a slightly modified form of the invention;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary View geenrally similar to FIGURE 2, and wherein several structural Variations are shown;

FIGURE l() is an enlarged elevational view of a brace which lmay be used in any of the structures shown herein and:

FIGURE ll is a fragmentary view, partly in section, of a form of joint which may be used in constructing the structures `shown herein.

As shown on the drawings:

The principles of this invention are particularly useful when embodied in a portable window scaffold such as illustrated in FIGURE l, generally indicated by the numeral 15. The scaffold assembly includes a platform frame 16, a support platform 17, a releasable rod or cross-bar 18, a guard rail assembly 19, a braced U-shaped support bracket 2t), and an auxiliary or temporary support means 21.

The platform frame 16 includes a pair of legs 25, 26 which have a length such that they may extend through the open window W as shown in FIGURE 2. The legs 25 and 26 extend in generally parallel relation to each other and terminate on one side of the window, for eX- ample, the inside or interior side of the room in which the window W is located. In the instant embodiment, the platform frame 16 is generally U-shaped and also includes a bight portion 27, as best seen in FIGURE 3, and an intermediate transverse member 28. The bight 27 and the transverse member 2S both parts of the platform frame 16, carry the support platform 17 which is thereby disposed on the other side or outside of the window W as best seen in FIGURE 2. The platform 17 may be secured in any convenient manner to the platform frame 15, the mode of attachment as illustrated herein being that of a plurality of nuts and bolts 29 which extends through the support platform 17 and a portion of the platform frame 16.

In a generally U-shaped manner, the guard rail assembly V19 surrounds the three outward sides of the support platform 17. The guard rail assembly 19 includes a relatively high back-rail 39 and a pair of rigid spaced side rails 31, 32 disposed in cooperating relation with the back rail 39. The back rail 36 is a generally U-shaped member of either unitary construction or comprising a plurality of parts fitted together. The lower ends of the legs of the back rail 3G are hinged as at 33 to the platform frame 16. If desired, a rigid cuagonal brace 34 may be provided to rigidity the back rail 3d. lt is to be understood that a pair of crossed cables (not shown) could be substituted for the brace 34.

The side rails 31 and 32 are hinged as at 35 to the back rail 30 and include a horizontal portion and a vertical portion hinged to each other as at 36. The vertical portions `of the side rails 31, 32 are hinged ,to the platform frame 16 as at 37.

Thus it can be seen that the guard rail assembly 19 is hinged at the points 33 and 37 to the platform frame 16, lthe hinges at 35 and 36 permitting the collapse of the guard rail assembly 19.

'In order to brace and lock the guard rail assembly 19 in erected position, there is provided in this embodiment a pair of diagonally extending braces 40 and 41 which are hinged at their upper ,ends to the back rail 30 as at 35 and which are secured at their lower ends to the platform frame 16 as at 37. The braces 40 and 41 thus rigidify the guard rail assembly 19, and also serve to lock it in an erected condition.

In order that the guard rail assembly may be collapsed, the means provided at 37 for hinging the various elements together preferably comprise a nut and bolt, or their equivalent, whereby the brace may be released `from the connection. This is an important feature, since a preferred form of the instant embodiment thus allows the outward hinging of the guard rail assembly 19 away from the window W to permit its collapse while the remainder of the scaffold is in a load-supporting condition. Thus, if desired, the guard rail assembly may be hinged cornpletely out of use without in any way disabling the load supporting capability of the support platform 17. The U-shaped support bracket 2i) is provided with legs 42, 43 which are hinged at their ends to the platform frame 16,

as at 33, the point 33 being at an outboard portion of Y the platform frame 16.

A pair of rigid braces 44 and 45 are hinged at their lower ends to the legs 42 and 43 respectively of the 'U-shaped support bracket 20. At their upper ends, the braces 44, 45 are provided with means spacedly disposed from the lower end of the braces which means cooperates with the platform frame and is eective to provide a selectable effective brace length, such that the angle dened'by the platform frame 16 and the U-shaped support bracket 20 is always an acute angle, such means also being effective to permit the scaffold assembly 15 to rest on the oor on the U-shaped bracket 20 without collapse of or disconnection of the braces .44 and 45 at the platform frame 16.

In the instant embodiment, the means for effecting these results comprise a series of spaced apertures 44 and 45' which are aligned with an aperture in each of the legs and 26 of the platform frame 16, and through which apertures a nut and bolt assembly 50 extends as best shown in FIGURE 8.

It is now apparent that the structure as shown in FIG- VURE 1 may rest on the support bracket 2t) on a oor without collapse or hinging of any of its components occurring.

The temporary or auxiliary support means 21 includes a flexible or semi-flexible strap 51 which is looped about the transverse member 28, one end thereof being provided with means such as bolts or hooks 52 for engaging in one of a series of apertures in the adjacent portion of the strap 51. The other end of the strap 51 is provided with an angular or hook portion 53 shown res-ting on the cross-bar 1S merely for convenience of illustration. Thus the temporary support means 21 has a selectable effective length and is secured to 'one of the frame 16 or platform 17 and extends in a generally parallel direction intermediate the legs 25 and 26 of the frame 16. As best shown in FIGURE 2, the angular or hook portion 53 engages the inner edge o-f the window sill S to thereby apply a horizontal vector force which prevents the scaffold 15 from falling outwardly. It will be noted that this mode of attachment is sufficient to support the weight of the unloaded scaffold, while further support means, presently to be described, are being adjusted and/ or engaged.

The platform frame 16 is provided with a bracket 60 on each of the legs 25 and 26 thereof. Y

As best seen in FIGURE 4, the brackets 60 are each provided with an aperture 61 which are axially aligned with each other for releasably or removably receiving the rod or cross-bar 13 therein as shown in FIGURE 1. A connection is provided intermediate the aperture `61 and the respective legs 25, 26 which provides one or more degrecs lof freedom in the structure, wherein the axis of the aperture may be moved. In the instant embodiment, the threads disposed at 62 intermediate the bracket 60 and the leg 26 permit the bracket to be displaced axially in a direction parallel to the leg. Thus if the bracket 60 be revolved at the threads 62 relative to the'leg 26, the bracket 69 may be moved in a direction toward and away from the window W by an amount equal to one thread per revolution. To facilitate this movement, a handle 63 is fixed to the brackets 60 as at 64. The nature of the threads 62 inherently locks the brackets 60 in an axial direction with respect to the leg 26 whenever the crossbar 18 is inserted into the apertures 61, thereby preventing further axial movement of the brackets 60.

Threads may also be provided at the points indicated by either or both numerals 65 and 66 whereby the axis of the aperture 61 may be moved angularly with respect to the le" 26 to thereby upset the axial alignment of the apertures 61 in the brackets 60. In the instant embodiment, the axis of the aperture 61 is thus movable both axially and angularly. It is to be noted that the axis of the aperture 61 is also moved angularly when the bracket 6i) is moved relative to the leg 26 at the threads 62. Thus, broadly speaking, where an angularly movable axis is desired, the brackets 60 may include means for angularly rocking the axis about a vertical line perpendicular or normal to the axis of the aperture 61 about a horizontal line perpendicular Vto the axis of the aperture (1,l or about both vertical and horizontal lines perpendicular to the axis of the aperture 61.

The scaffold 15 may be installed in the position shown in FIGURE 2 in several different manners. The scaffold 15 may be fully erected as shown in FIGURE l, it may be fully collapsed as shown in FIGURE 3, and one of the guard rail assembly 19 and support bracket assembl 2t) may be erected and locked with the other being collapsed. The choice of which of these four initial conditions is used in the erection of this scaffold will be determined by the user from time to time depending upon the size of the opening provided in the window W below the raised sash (not shown) thereof. Where the window opening is quite substantial, the upper portion of the guard rail assembly 19 is first inserted through the Window opening at an upwardly directed angle, after which the scaffold is rocked to a levelled positioned, the support bracket 20 clearing the window sill S. The scaffold is then lowered so that the support bracket 20 may engage the outside wall beneath the window W and so that the angle portion 53 may engage the sill S as shown in FIG- URE 2.

If the scaffold is initially fully collapsed as shown in FIGURE 3, the entire structure is directed outwardly through the window opening, which may be quite small, by a distance sufficient to allow the support bracket 29 to swing downwardly past the sill. The hook portion 53 is engaged with the sill S and the braces 44 are then secured to the frame as shown in FIGURE 2. Thereafter, the guard rail assembly may be erected.

For intermediate size window openings, one of the support bracket and the guard rail assembly may be first erected as shown in FIGURE 1. When the guard rail assembly is first erected, the back rail 30 is angularly inserted beneath the open sash, the bottom of which is at a level above the relatively lower side rails 31 and 32. The scaffold is then moved to a horizontal position and displaced outwardly to allow the support bracket 20 to be connected as before, the temporary support bracket 53 having been engaged as before. When the support bracket is first erected, the operation is essentially the same as that described before, the collapsed guard rail permitting the subsequent erection of the scaffold through a still smaller window opening.

After the scaffold 15 has been preliminarily secured as described, the brackets 60 may be adjusted axially of the legs 25 and 26, toward or away from the window W,

for reception of therod or cross-bar 18 therethrough `as shown in FIGURE 2. The bracket 60 isso adjusted that the cross-bar 18 engages the vertical portions of the window frame to stabilize the scaffold and to carry the weight of the loaded scaffold. -If desired, suitable sleeves 70, may then be slipped fover the ends of the cross-bar .18 as shown in FIGURE l to prevent Vmarring of the vertical portions of the window frame.

In this aspect, the angularly movable connection within the brackets 6i) or leg 26 provides an interesting and advantageous result. Referring to FIGURE 2, it is clear that the rod 18 could be disposed in axial alignment with the axially aligned apertures of the brackets 60, and then inserted therethrough. If this manner were attempted, it is easy to recognize that the presence of another wall, furniture, or other obstruction, on either or both sides of the window, would make it difficult, awkward, or impossible to install the cross-'bar 18.

However, since the brackets 60 are provided with connections having an angular freedom of motion, one of the brackets may be preliminarily misaligned, such as by rtating it 90 about either a vertical or horizontal axis. In tlL's manner and when so disposed, the rod '18 may then be inserted in the aperture of the bracket 60 which is then realigned while the bracket has a cross-bar 18 therein. In this manner, the .rod may project through one bracket 66 bythe vamount of distance by which the brackets 69 are spaced from each other, and then 'angularly moved'into alignment with the other bracket. Thus one bracket is moved angularly while it engages a central portion of the cross-bar 1S, to thereby enable its insertion in the other bracket, Without interference with adjacent obstructions. Thus also, the lpreliminary bracket position may be horizontaler vertical prior to its alignment with the second bracket. For maximum liiexibility, it is therefore apparent that each of the brackets should have this feature. However, it obviously would be necessary that only one of the brackets have this feature.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, an alternate structure is illustrated which may be used in lieu of the threads 62. in this structure, the leg 26is provided with a plurality of transverse apertures .71, the bracket 60' also being provided with an aperture alignable therewith and a pin 72 which may extend through the bracket 60 and the ieg 25 to lock the bracket 60' with respect to the leg Z6. When the pin 72 is Vwithdrawnfit'is apparent that since the bracket 60' has a sliding engagement with the leg 26', that the bracket-tlris freeto be moved axially of the leg 26 and also angularly with respect to it. Y

Referring now vto FIGURES 6 and 7, a further alternate structure is shown which-may be used in lieuof the tireads 62. In thisembodiment, the bracket 60" is also axially slideable with respect to the leg 26 which is provided with an external longitudinally extending groove or slot 73 which has a plurality of transversely directed aligned branches 73. The bracket 60".'is provided with a lug or key 74 which is Yslideably received in -the vgroove 73. When the bracket 60 has been rotated so that the lug 74 is aligned with the longitudinal slot 73, the bracket 60 may be slideably adjusted axially ofthe leg 26, and thereafter when the lug 74 registers with one of the transverse groove branches 73', the bracket 60" may be angularly rocked to realign the bracket apertures.

Referring now to FIGURE 8, a slightly modified form of guard rail assembly is illustrated, generally' indicated at 77. In this embodiment, the guard rail includes a pair of rigid spaced relatively low-height side rails 78 disposed in cooperating relation with the back rail 30. In this embodiment, the height of the side rails 78, as before, will be less than the window opening through which the back rail 30 is rst angularly inserted, thereby permitting the side rails 78 to be horizontal during the installation of the scaffold in a window opening. The height of the side rail 78 will be relatively low when compared with the height of the back rail 30 whereby an auxiliary platform 79 may be supported across the side .rail 78, theback rail 30 still being high enough to offer protection to the user standing on the auxiliary platform 79. Thus `two scaiolds of this type may be used on each of a pair of horizontally spaced windows, the auxiliary platform 79 being somewhat elongated to rest on side rails 78 of the adjacent scaolds, thereby enabling access to the exterior wall intermediate the windows. Of course, it is to be understood that the auxiliary platform 79 may also rest directly on the support platform 17.

Referring now to FIGURE 9, several advantageous structural modifications are illustrated. In this embodiment, the support leg 43 is provided with a yoke 75' which hingedly joins the leg 43 to the bight portion 27 of the platform frame 16. Thus, as before, the support bracket 2G is hinged to the platform frame 16 at an outboard portion thereof.

In this embodiment, the rigid braces 44, 45 have been replaced by a pair of flexible cables 76 having ends `permanently secured to the platform frame 16 and to the support bracket 20. The point of securement may, of course, be pivotable. The length of the cable 76 is such as to insure an acute angle between the frame 16 and the support 20 as before. One advantage to this structure is that the support 2Q is lcollapsible when the scaffold 15 is disconnected from the window frame without the disconnection of any fastening means. This structure may also be used to advantage where the feature of being able to rest and erect the scaffold 15 on the erected support member Ztl is not required.

A further feature of this embodiment is that'the auxiliary or temporary support means 21 is so made that the strap thereof is directed at the point of attachment to the frame 16 in a direction opposite to that which the hook 53 is directed. This enables the free end to be disposed on the upper side of the portion yhaving the hook 53.

FIGURE l0 shows a Vrigid brace 80 having an elongated opening 81 with transverse notches 82 therein. The brace 80 may be secured at its lower end as at 83 in FIGURES l or 8, the means at 5% permanently extending through the elongated opening 81 for selective positioninc7 in one of the transverse portions 82 thereof. It is to be noted that the elongated opening 81 has no access or channel communicating with the exterior edge thereof. This is also true for each of the transverse portions 82. Thus if the brace 80 be used in placeof the brace 45 the structure will be effective to provide a selectable effective brace length such that the angle defined by the platform frame 16 and the support bracket 20 is always `an acute angle, and is also etfective topermit the scaffold to rest on the oor on the Vbracket 2i) without collapse of or disconnection of the brace at the point -50 on the platform frame. If desired, the handle portion 83 may also be included.

Referring now to FIGURE 11, there is shown a tubular member 78 having an axially directed slot 85 and an aperture not shown) transverse thereto. The second tubular member 86 has a flattened end with an aperture (not shown) aligned with the aperture Vin the member 78', and through which apertures there extends a nut andbolt assembly 87. 'It is to be understood that this type of joint may be utilized, if desired, wherever convenient in the structures shown herein.

Accordingly, it can be seen that a highly adaptable and flexible portable window scaffold has been provided which may be used with various types and sizes of windows and which may be conveniently used even though obstructions Lbe present adjacent to the window interior thereof.

Although various minor modifications might be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such embodiments as reasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution to the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a portable window .scaffold having a platform frame, said frame having a pair of legs which are adapted to extend in through an open window and terminate on one side thereof, and a support platform horizontally carried by the frame on the other side of the Window, the improvement of Said legs -respectively having a pair of transverse apertures disposed in axial alignment on said oneV side of the window for freely receiving a crossbar therethrough; and means for angularly Irocking the axis of at least one of said apertures about a generally vertical line normal to said axis and out of and into said axial alignment, whereby the cross-bar may be inserted through said one aperture when out-of-line and thereafter be swung horizontally into alignment with the other aperture for insertion also therein.

2. In a portable Window scaffold having a platform frame, said frame having a pair of legs which are adapted to extend in through an open window intermediate the vertical portions of a Window frame and to rest on a window sill, and which terminate on one side thereof, means carried by the pair of legs for releasably coacting With the vertical portions of the window frame for support of the loaded scaffold, and a support platform carried by the frame on the other side of the window, the

improvement of: additional means secured to one of the platform frames and the support platform independently of said means carried by the pair of legs, said additional means extending intermediate and generally parallel to the pair of frame legs, and having an angular portion for engagement with the innertedge of the Window sill, said additional means being operative to temporarily support the unloaded scaffold While the means carried by the pair of legs are being engaged with the vertical portions of the Window frame for support of the loaded scaffold.

3. In a portable Window scaold having a platform frame, said'frame having a pair of legs which are adapted to extend in through an open window intermediate the vertical portions of a window frame and to rest on a window sill, and which terminate on one side thereof, means `carried by the pair of legs for releasably eoacting with the vertical portions of the window frame for support of the loaded scaold, and a support platform earried by the frame on the other side of the window, the improvement of additional means secured to one of the platform frame and the support platform independently of said means carried by the pair of legs, said additional means extending `intermediate and generally parallel to the pair of frame legs, having a plurality of selectable effective lengths, and having an angular portion for engagement with the inner edge of the window sill, said additional means beingoperative to temporarily support the unloaded scaffold while the means cmried by the pair of legs are being engaged Vwith the vertical portions of the Window frame for support of the loaded scaffold.

4. In a portable window scaffold having a platform frame,'said frame having a pair of legs which are adapted to extend in through an open window intermediate the vertical portions of a Window frame and to rest on a window sill, and which terminate on one side thereof,

and a support platform carried by the frame on the other side ofthe Window, the improvement of: additional means secured to one of the platform frame yand the support platform, extending intermediate and generally parallel to the pair of frame legs, Vand having an angular portion for engagement with the inner edge of the Window sill, said means being operative to temporarily support the unloaded scaffold; said legs respectively having a pair of transverse apertures disposed in vertically spaced relation above the axis of said legs and in axial alignment on said one side of the Window for freely receiving a cross-bar therethrough while the scaffold is supported by said additional means; and means for angularly rocking and slidably moving the axis of at least one of said apertures about and along the axis of one of said legs and out of and into said axial alignment, whereby the crossbar may be inserted through 4said one aperture when the apertures are out-of-line andV thereafter the cross-bar be aligned with the other aperture for insertion also therein for engagement with the vertical portions of the window frame for support of the loaded scaffold.

5. In a portable Window scaffold having a platform frame, said frame having a pair of legs which are adapted to extend in through an open window, and which terminate on one side thereof, means carried by the pair of legs for releasably coacting with the window frame for support of the loaded scaffold, and a support platform carried by the platform frame for being Adisposed on the side of the window opposite to said one side, the improvement of: additional means secured to one of the platform frame and the support platform independently of said means carried by the pair of legs, said additional means extending intermediate the pair of frame legs, and having a portion adapted to engage the window sill, said addi- Vtional means being operative to temporarily support the unloaded scaold while the means carried by the pair of Y legs are being engaged ywith the window frame for support of the loaded scaffold.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 190,615 Pfautz May 8, 1877 244,755 Koechling July 26, 1881 724,799 Buckel Apr. 7, 1903 933,740 Bond Sept. 14, 1909 959,278 Wells May 24, 1910 1,091,994 Winegar Mar. 31, 1914 1,210,819 Loebel Jan. 2, 1917 1,239,472 Florian Sept. l1, 1917 1,295,453 Edland Feb. 25, 1919 1,454,155 Crozier May 8, 1923 1,580,049 Kardos Apr. 6, 1926 1,691,678 Swanlind Nov. 13, 1928 2,043,864 Novack .lune 6, 1936 2,101,317 Lemieux Dec. 9, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS 20,352 Great Britain Nov. l1, 1892 

